With Jesus’ words and actions, there seemed to be a direct correlation between Amazement and Authority.  People were frequently amazed by Jesus, and more often than not, it was His authority that amazed them.

Jesus exercised this authority when He taught, when He cast out demons, when He forgave sin, when He laid down His life and took it up again.

Jesus exercises this authority when He judges, when He condemns to Hell, when He overcomes the enemy, when He grants eternal life.

Consider the times it was recorded that Jesus exercised His authority:

“…because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”  Matthew 7:29

But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”  So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”  Matthew 9:6

“When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.”  Matthew 9:8

“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”  Matthew 10:1

Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”  Matthew 21:23

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”  Matthew 28:18

“The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”  Mark 1:22

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”  Mark 1:27

“But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man…  Mark 2:10

“…and to have authority to drive out demons.”  Mark 3:15

“Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.”  Mark 6:7

“By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”  Mark 11:28

And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.”   Luke 4:6

“They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.”  Luke 4:32

All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!”  Luke 4:36

“But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”  So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”  Luke 5:24

“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases…”  Luke 9:1

“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”  Luke 10:19

“But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”  Luke 12:5

“Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?”  Luke 20:2

The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”  John 2:18

“And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.”  John 5:27

Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him…”  John 7:28

“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”  John 10:18

“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”  John 14:10

“For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.”  John 17:2

The people were amazed by Jesus’ authority.  The Pharisees condemned Jesus for claiming authority they believed belonged to God alone.

When Jesus humbled Himself and took on the very nature of a servant (Philippians 2), He yielded the right to exercise His own authority.  Any authority Jesus now exercised would be delegated from the Father.  “I do nothing on my own.  I only do what I see the Father doing.”  Jesus operated in the Spirit’s power under the Father’s authority.

The Father delegated authority to the Son.  The Son has delegated authority to His disciples.  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples!”

As a disciple, what spiritual authority do I have?  Jesus gave His disciples the authority to drive out demons, cure sickness, trample on snakes and scorpions, overcome the enemy, make disciples, baptize, teach.

As a disciple, how do I operate with the authority that’s been delegated to me?  I operate in faith.  “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed…”  I operate in obedience.

As a disciple, am I accessing the full authority that’s been given to me?  

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”  John 14:12

 

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